Legal Counsel, Center for Legislative Advocacy

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please visit www.adflegal.org/about-us/careers to view our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives.

Legal Counsel, Center for Legislative Advocacy

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly skilled Legal Counsel to serve as part of ADF’s Center for Legislative Advocacy in Scottsdale, AZ, Lansdowne, VA, Lawrenceville, GA or from a remote home office. Strong preference is given to individuals willing to work out of or relocate to our offices in either Lawrenceville, GA or Lansdowne, VA. This position promotes the strategic objectives of ADF via education and advocacy efforts involving direct government action.  As an alliance builder, the Legal Counsel will support outreach and coordination with allies focused on government, legislative, and policy issues, with a particular focus at the state level.  The Legal Counsel will build and serve on the legislative team that manages legislative review and education initiatives as well as grassroots engagement efforts.  This position will include a specialty focus on providing legal counsel on legislation and policies that promote parental rights in the states.

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Advocate and coordinate support for the positions of ADF on governmental policies and legislation with a strong focus on protecting and expanding parental rights, primarily at the state level.
• Conduct research on the latest court precedent that impacts state and federal legislative issues.
• Draft legislation and policies related to parental rights in education, health care, and related areas.
• Assist in the development of testimony, position papers, and reports.
• Provide legislative testimony on the legal implications of proposed legislation.
• Review, track, and report on state legislation.
• Travel to meet with policy groups, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to discuss policy, strategy, and how to effectively advocate to government officials and the public.
• Encourage and facilitate effective working relationships with key government and policy allies, particularly in the states.
• Speak publicly to the media and before crowds.
• Work collaboratively within the ADF team and external allies.

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned.

Skills you need to succeed:

Knowledge of:

• State legislative and executive branch processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of parental rights policy and constitutional issues related to the ADF mission.
• Proven legislative advocacy skills, including demonstrated advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Research, analysis, and evaluation of state governmental issues, rules, regulations, and legislation.
• Demonstrated high-level and effective interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain effective broad-range working relationships, and proven ability to work independently and collaboratively on internal and external teams.
• Willingness to work in a frenetic and fluid legislative/political environment.
• Flexibility and effectiveness in handling multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing conditions.
• Bolstering relationships with key state legislative staff for both Democrats and Republicans, as well as other mission-related advocacy organizations.
• Awareness of current political environment and on-going strategic implications that affect the legislative activities of ADF.
• Ability of reaching out and effectively using grassroots networks to advance a policy agenda.
• Knowledge of ADF’s mission and strategic objectives.

Demonstrated proficiency in:

• Strong communication and relationship development skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Word, and Outlook.
• Strong time management skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Navigating the complex structure of the legislative branch to produce desired results.

Ability to:

• Professionally handle confidential information.
• Make sound decisions under demanding conditions.
• Problem solve.
• Flexibility to rapidly change priorities in order to respond to recent and changing legislative developments.
• Work, motivate, and initiate within a team and independently.
• Produce excellent written and verbal communications.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Persuade and inspire others to act.
• Travel frequently, especially during the legislative season.

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be obtained.
• J.D., and licensed to practice law.
• Experience in public policy advocacy or legislative or executive branch work at the state level.
• Preferably 5 years of professional experience involving government relations at the state level.

To complete your application, please attach a writing sample and copy of your transcripts to your application or if the files are too large, email to hr@adflegal.org.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.